Hey all --
I have to say (not to jinx anything, but still) that watching the Golden Globes last night I was thinking about the fact that it's very very very likely we will be a part of them next year, since there is a separate category for musicals/comedies and all. As for the other awards, *who knows*. But you can pretty much bet on Rent getting at least one Golden Globe nomination next year. Seems like it would be a more or less fun party to go to. The only big awards shindig I got to go to was the SAG Awards, when the cast of A Beautiful Mind was nominated for outstanding ensemble (we lost to the much-deserved winner Gosford Park), and that was fun. We'll see...
Anyway, as to some questions from the weekend's posts:
"I read an article today about Open House. The movie sounds pretty interesting. Can you tell me more about the project and how I might be able to see the film? Has it been released on DVD?"
Open House was a very fun, silly, *very* low low low budget musical comedy that I did a while ago. I have no idea if it will ever see the light of day beyond the film festival circuit, but I was happy to be a part of it, and I especially enjoyed getting to hang out with Sally Kellerman a bit, because I think she's one of the most wonderful character actresses out there, and she unfortunately doesn't get nearly enough of an opportunity to strut her stuff.
"Do you suppose that you will ever get to record a track for LSoH? "
Nope. They did a recording of the Broadway company, and that's all there will be. I've heard that there are some bootlegs out there of our company, so maybe you cn track them down?
"And I've been hearing some stuff on the thread about a book your writing. Maybe I missed a post since I'm fairly new here but is it like an autobiography or what?"
It's a memoir of a three-year period (with some flashbacks thrown in) from when I first got the workshop of Rent and my mom was diagnosed with cancer, through her death while I was in the Broadway company. It's about how those two amazingly impactful events shaped my life.
"A few questions: Do you expect any singles from the soundtrack?"
I have no idea. That depends on how ambitious the record company is. Apparently there was a song or two from Chicago played on VH-1, so maybe something that will happen for Rent as well. I certainly think the songs from Rent deserve to get airplay, but the music industry is a funky one, so you never know.
"Also, my nine year old asked me while listening to La Vie Boheme, "What is this song about?" Any thoughts?"
I think it's about celebrating yourself for who you are, standing up for what you believe in, throwing off the restraints of conformity, and fighting for your voice to be heard. Not taking no for an answer. Living with joy in the face of disease and other difficult circumstances. Triumphing over suppression. Stuff like that.
"Anthony-do you ever encounter people who don't "get" RENT? if so, how do you deal with them?"
I understand that not everything is going to be appeal to all people. I do feel like they're missing out on something very very special and powerful, but if it's not for them, it's not for them. There's not much more that can be done about it. We used to say that when people would walk out, at least we'd provoked a reaction. It's amazing to think, though, that in today's political climate in this country, Rent will be even more of a protest piece than it was in 1996. I have a feeling we might make some folks pretty angry out there. Ah well. As Jonathan used to say, you're either living in fear or love. Rent certainly lives in love. The political world is one mostly run by fear. Should make for an interesting conflict.
"Did you have fun at Interlochen?"
My two summers at Interlochen are among my favorite times of my life, truly. I go back there often to speak and teach, when I have time in my schedule for it. It's a wonderful, wonderful place.
"But back on subject, (sorry if I ramble, I'm quite sick and am a bit delusional :-P) going back to what broadway style said, what do you do if you run into hecklers? Like people who perhaps didnt really like something you were involved in but they choose to make a big public deal about it. Has that ever happened to you?"
I'm not sure that I remember running into a heckler in person, but there have been some incidents on the net: back when I was in Charlie Brown, a friend alerted me to a post someone wrote about me saying "no wonder his name rhymes with crap." I wrote to him, just saying remember that I was a human being and that people like me could see what was written about us, so if he could just be a little more careful with his words when he wanted to criticize us. To his credit, he wrote me a very sincere apology, and even came to the stage door to apologize in person. I really appreciated that, and respected him for having the guts to look me in the eye and apologize. In another incident, when I was in Henry V, someone posted on my old website's message board the following: "You are F*CKing clown shoes. Your attempt at henry made me vomit in my mouth. For the love of god, never act again." That one made me laugh. What the hell are "clown shoes?!?!" But you know, it's easy for people to sit at their computers and just write whatever they'd like, and never really have to face any consequences. As I said earlier, though, I know that there will be people who won't be pleased with my work, so I certainly expect criticism and dissension. I would just like to see a bit more civility in such criticism, is all.
"Is anybody documenting the making of RENT the movie? Like taking pictures, filming random / special moments, etc. for a documentary or something? Because I know a lot of people would love to see something like that! (myself included...I love behind-the-scenes stuff!)"
I've been taking some photos, (I took several that were published in the Rent book, about which I am very proud) although because I'm working so much I don't have a lot of time to take photos at this point. The choreorgrapher is heavily documenting rehearsals with his video camera, and there is a crew that pops in and out with their hight-tech equipment to gather stuff. There will be lots of behind-the-scenes footage to put together for the dvd, I can assure you. It's so interesting the way making films has changed over the years, because all the dvd extras are being thought about now, before we're even in principal photography.
"i was wondering what character in rent you think jonathan identified with most. i know they all embody a piece of him, but who is he most connecteed to?"
I've always thought that overall, Jonathan was closest to Mark, based on my experience of knowing him, and on some of the things his friends and family have told me over the years. But there are aspects of him in all of the characters, for sure.
"I read that Happy New Year (A and B) was being cut out. Does anyone know if thats true?"
They are not in the film as songs, but as dialogue.
"Will Adam be playing the guitar solos for "Musetta's Walz" and "Your Eyes" on the film soundtrack? Actually, while that's up, did he do them on the OBCR or was that Kenny Brescia?"
I'm pretty sure that Kenny played them on the OBCR, and that the guitar player will play them for the film's soundtrack. Sorry if that disappoints you.
"I just wondered if there are already plans of bringing the movie to Europe and if so, which company will distribute it?"
It's a great question, and one I would love to know the answer to. I think there are some plans for an international release, but I don't know how splashy it will be. The show has been prioduced all over the world, and while it's never run for as many years as it has on Broadway, it has done well in a number of places, so I'd imagine that the producers would want to give it a chance to garner an international audience. I would also relish the opportunity to get to travel to different countries to promote it, if that were made available to me.
"Another question for Anthony. How did you walk/learn to walk/ get used to walking in the platform heels for Hedwig?"
My friend Georgia, who played Katherine to my Henry in Henry V, and is a very glam, leggy, beautiful woman, came over and put on my boots and I watched her walk around in them, and then tried to emulate her movements. That was the beginning for me, and then it was a matter of just getting accustomed to them and try not to look like a klutz. I actually got really good at it, to the point where I could dance, spin, walk up and down ladders, and evern perform a whole show after one of the heels broke almost completely off.
"While we seem to be on the subject of Hedwig, just out of curiosity, did you get to pick out the costume you wanted to wear or was that more of the wardrobe/costume designer's choice? It was a kick ass costume to be sure!"
When I work with a costume designer, I let them put things on me, and if I have thoughts about it, I'll express them, but basically, I know that I'm not a designer, so I'm happy to wear pretty much what they ask me to. In the case of Hedwig, Miguel Huidor was wonderfully creative, and found ways to deal with my strong thighs and wide ribcage and make me look more womanly than I would have thought possible. (I think I've said before somewhere around these boards how much I loved doing that show, but if I haven't said it, * I LOVED DOING THAT SHOW!!!!*)
"you talked in an earlier post about Sidways and Million Dollar Baby. Have you seen Kinsey yet, and if so, what'd you think? Also, have you seen the movie Tarnation? (it's brilliant!)
And, do you plan to see the extremely controversial Kevin Bacon movie The Woodsman?"
I saw Kinsey yesterday, and admired it, but didn't love it. (It sometimes felt strangely polite and conventional, when it's about things that are a bit more thorny and interesting than that, it seems to me.) I'd love to see Tarnation, and I have some interest in The Woodsman, as well. I'm also looking to get to Closer, Hotel Rwanda, House of Flying Daggers, The Motorcycle Diaries, Vera Drake, and maybe Being Julia. There were a lot of strong movies out this year, huh?
"So, as I was thinking about it, I thought of a question for you, Anthony. I turn to music when things get tough, and I recently lost a friend of mine to a house fire. As I went through my cds, I couldn't find one that I thought would help get through it. Is there a particular show you listen to when things are rough? Is there a certain show you listen to when you're happy? Just curious."
I'm sorry for your loss. I can't say, though, that I came up with any sort of ritual like that for myself when I've lost someone. The most important thing, to me, is to allow yourself to go through the entire experience of loss, which can certainly be very very difficult, but in the long run, it's the only way you will ultimately be able to move on. I hope you find some good ways to comfort yourself.
Take good care, and have a good Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
Anthony
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